We seek an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher with an internationally excellent research track record to develop or apply novel biomaterials for dynamic organoid cultures. The candidate will engage in research related to discovering and engineering biomaterials for the control, differentiation and patterning of various organoid systems, such as kidney and intestinal organoids as well as stem cell-derived embryo models.
Stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells, demonstrate an impressive self-organizing capacity when cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) context. Their capability to form complex organ-like/organism-like structures holds the potential to mimic organogenesis and embryonic development in vitro. Although their potential is undisputed, current organoids typically only partly represent natural tissue architecture, still lack maturity, and are generally characterized by a high heterogeneity.
Currently, the impact of the physical and local environment on organoid development is poorly understood, while the use of soluble factors to guide development is better explored. To address this dichotomy, we are looking for a motivated candidate with a solid background in biomaterials, bioengineering, or organoid culture who is interested in multidisciplinary research. The successful candidate could be a materials scientist with a strong affinity for developmental/cell biology, or a biologist with a strong affinity for the use of innovative materials to steer living systems. This work will be a close collaboration between two established research groups at MERLN. We aim to build upon our previous expertise in biomaterials for organoids and bioprinting and combine this with expertise in engineering systems to better understand developmental biology. The fully funded 2,5-year postdoc position (1+1,5 year contract) will be embedded between labs comprising a multidisciplinary team consisting of biologists, chemists, and bioengineers.
The project has two primary aims 1) controlling organoid formation from pluripotent stem cells to better understand cell-cell communication and the role of signalling centres during tissue patterning and how tissue boundaries can be constituted and maintained on a long-term basis in vitro; 2) developing dynamic microenvironments from responsive or instructive biomaterials in order to guide or understand 1) in more detail. The candidate will employ advanced biomaterials systems (dynamic covalent, supramolecular, light responsive, 3D printable inks) to create spatiotemporally controlled dynamic culture of organoids to further elucidate and control mechanisms of de novo pattern formation.
Key references: - Teixeira Carvalho, D.J., Moroni, L. & Giselbrecht, S. Nature Reviews Materials 8, 147–164 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-022-00523-z
- Samal P, …, Giselbrecht S. Advanced Materials 2020 Jun;32(24):e1907966. doi: 10.1002/adma.201907966.
- Kakni P, …, Giselbrecht S. Journal of Tissue Engineering 2023 Jan 18;14:20417314221149208. doi: 10.1177/20417314221149208.
- Shahzad Hafeez, Monize Caiado Decarli, Agustina Aldana, Mahsa Ebrahimi, Floor AA Ruiter, Hans Duimel, Clemens van Blitterswijk, Louis M Pitet, Lorenzo Moroni, Matthew B Baker. Advanced Materials, 2023, 35, 2301242. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202301242
- Floor AA Ruiter, Francis LC Morgan, Nadia Roumans, Anika Schumacher, Gisela G Slaats, Lorenzo Moroni, Vanessa LS LaPointe, Matthew B Baker. Advanced Science, 2022, 20, 2200543. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202200543
The successful candidate will join the “Morphogenetic Micro Engineering” laboratory of Dr. Stefan Giselbrecht in the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University (https://merlninstitute.com/merln/morphogenetic-micro-engineering), and the “BioMatt” group of Dr. Matthew Baker (https://biomattgroup.com/). Working at MERLN means you will join an international network of researchers from ~25 nationalities spanning multiple disciplines. We are a collaborative and interdisciplinary group with diverse expertise, including biomaterials, chemistry, tissue engineering, microfabrication, and cell biology. We work in newly renovated laboratory facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. We have a long history as leaders in the field of tissue engineering and are particularly well-known for our orientation towards translational research.